The Codex Leicester, now owned by Bill Gates, was compiled by the Genius of Vinci in the same years (1504-1508) as he was conducting memorable anatomical dissections in the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova; was conceiving an ambitious plan to make man fly; was involved in an ambitious attempt to paint the Battle of Anghiari on the wall of Palazzo Vecchio; was studying futuristic solutions to make the Arno navigable from Florence to the sea, to safeguard the city against the river’s constant flooding and to introduce effective techniques of permanently protecting its banks for erosion by its fast-flowing waters.

The precious treasure-chest that is the Codex Leicester contains pages densely filled with innovative texts and drawings of outstanding quality testifying to the originality and the visionary depth of Leonardo’s exploration of the element water. Never before had water and its movement been so penetratingly analysed.

Thanks to the innovative multimedia aides, visitors will be able to leaf through the 72 pages on digital screens, to access a transcription of the texts, to find information on the issues addressed and so forth.

Both the catalogue and the short guide, in English and Italian will be published.